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Budget board grades its work

Some, including Mayor Richard Langrell, lament failure to cut personnel costs, but Councilor Barbara Johnson says city should have given raise to non-union staff

By Pat Caldwell

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Four members of the Baker City Budget Committee said that the three-day fiscal sessions held last week proved to be a success, though at least one elected official believes the city needs to do more to cut costs.

The committee consists of the seven city councilors and seven city residents who were appointed by the Council.

Langrell, who established a firm, fiscal-conservative position before the sessions began, said a lot was accomplished last week but it may very well end up appearing to be a triumph without victory.

“I think they (the budget hearings) went pretty well considering we didn’t cut any employee costs. Overall employee costs are still up,” Langrell said. “My No. 1 goal was to get the employee costs under control.”